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City of Grand Forks Seeks Outside Legal Help Because They Have the Same Attorney as the Water Resource District

By Bill Dubensky May 28, 2025 | 8:57 AM

(City of Grand Forks image)

 

(KNOX) – The City of Grand Forks and the Grand Forks Water Resource District have the same attorney, Dan Gaustad.

Grand Forks Assistant City Engineer Christian Danielson said that years ago the city entered an agreement with the water resource district, that agreement has not been completed.

“He cannot provide that consul for us,” said Danielson.

Since the City of Grand Forks and the Grand Forks Water Resource District have the same attorney, that is why the city needs outside legal services.

“So we are going out to a separate attorney’s office to get that legal service,” Danielson said

The Grand Forks City Council approved a legal services agreement with Swanson & Warcup, Ltd. of Grand Forks for a city project that deals with Drain #4.

Drain 4 is a part of the City of Grand Forks’ flood protection system which requires that any modifications be reviewed by the United States Army Corps of Engineer.

As part of the Water Resource District project, a land transfer agreement from the flood protection project will also need to be completed.

The City of Grand Forks has been working with the Water Resource District up to this point, but the project is now reaching a point where legal review of some associated agreements and documentation is needed.

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